Seahawks’ exhibition opener draws high ratings

Record season-ticket renewals and open training camp practices that sold out quickly had already given evidence to the vast fan enthusiasm greeting the Seahawks this season.

More proof came with the TV ratings for Thursday night’s exhibition opener against the San Diego Chargers.

The game, televised by Q-13 Fox, drew a 40 percent share, meaning 40 percent of all households in the Seattle area watching TV at that time were tuned to the game, and a 21 rating (the percentage of all households with a TV).

That number was said to be roughly double what the Seahawks’ exhibition opener received last year. That game was a win against Tennessee on a Saturday night.

The top national rating for a show the week of July 29 was Under The Dome, which got a 7. 2 rating.

The high ratings for the exhibition game continue the trend of the end of last season when the Seahawks’ playoff loss to Atlanta drew a 79 share and a 45.6 rating. Those numbers made that game the most-watched TV show in Seattle since the 2006 Super Bowl, when the Seahawks lost to Pittsburgh. That game drew a 54.4 rating and an 85 share.